The University of Arizona: Transferring Math Skills – To EdTech Problems and To Grow Your Career

Problem framing, actionable results, and clear communication are key industry skills a mathematics degree helps build.

These skills matter more, not less, in today’s AI-driven world. To illustrate from a technical perspective, we’ll discuss the mathematics behind measuring student learning, with a focus on the challenge of transferability between learning systems, an open problem in learning analytics that my team made progress on. From a broader industry perspective, I’ll share tips for marketing your mathematical know-how, matching your strengths to the problems needing solutions, and turning tasks into growth opportunities. The through-line? Keep transferring your skills into new problems and environments and grow while you do it.

Bio: Angie Gonzalez has worked in industry since graduating with a PhD in mathematics from the University of Arizona in 2018. She moved from the defense sector to EdTech, where she leads a data science team. Her academic training, both technical and non-technical has served as an asset for shaping her professional skills and leadership roles.

An Industry Advisory Board Colloquium